Happy Easter!

[photo:  We spent the last day of the Czech Trek in Prague.  The whole city was decked out for Easter]

The 8 hour bus ride and 2 hour ferry ride brought an end to the DIS spring break.  I'm back in the Cope now, preparing to resume battle with laundry and homework.  It was wonderful while it lasted, though!  On the Czech Trek we got a chance to mountain bike, climb, repel, hike, and explore the numerous caves and caverns riddled throughout the forest.  Our hotel was pretty nifty, too.  We spent the week in an old castle situated right on the side of the mountain.  I feel the "Czech Trek" may as well have been called "Mary's Dream Trip".  I may have ruined a shirt or two along the way, but it was definitely worth it.  

[photo: My hands after repelling.  I think this was the result of either a dirty rope, nerves, or both]

Although most Danes rarely go to church, Easter is a big deal over here.  Yesterday was a national holiday and every store in town was closed.  Stores open again today, but only for a few hours, then the rest of the weekend everything will be closed up again.  This gives me just enough time to run to Netto and stock up on Guld Korn (I could live off of that cereal alone.  So tasty)
[photo:  Yup, that's our hotel.  Life doesn't get much better]

Although the last few weeks have been a blast, it's nice to be back in a familiar city.  And I think my body will appreciate a rest from hazardous activities for a little while.  My mom is flying in today, so I'll switch from traveler to tour guide and try to show her all the best of Copenhagen.  

[photo:  At Les 2 Alps there was an ice cave carved inside of the glacier on top of the mountain.  We came right at the end of the season, so some of the sculptures were beginning to melt - but t-rex here was still holding on]

I can't believe how time is flying over here!  Facebook is flooded with invitations for grad parties, people are starting to talk about summer jobs, and (less fun) DIS keeps reminding students about final exams.  Just 5 short weeks left in Europe-land.  I'll try to make it count!

Just a quick update

Unfortunately I only have about 5 minutes to write a little update, so this may come out sounding a bit condensed and certainly a bit rushed, but here goes:

Last week I was snowboarding the French Alps at Les 2 about 2 hours from Grenoble.  I had a great time, the weather was wonderful, and I met some fantastic people on the trip.

As most of you probably know by now, last week was also a difficult one for the Moritz family.  My dad went to hospital with a sinus infection and a very bad headache, but doctors ended up finding cancer in his brain, on his lung, and on his spine.  He had surgery on Thursday to remove the stuff in his brain ("It was rotten from too much Mad Magazine", he told me) and everything went just fine.  He's at home now, eating jello and watching cops with the dog, but he's going to go through some chemo and radiation for the rest of the cancer.  

I got home in the Cope last night around 3 am, and I'm heading out to the Czech republic via bus at 5:45 pm today (translation: sleep, laundry, food, pack).  I don't think I'll have internet access next week, but I'll try to post some pictures and stories as soon as I can.  

Until then, vi ses, hej hej!